My Alleged Husband-Chapter 1636 - 1430: Reminiscence

Zhang Zhentian looked up at the sky with melancholy. What was once a vast expanse of blue skies and white clouds seemed overcast now, matching his foul mood. He felt the entire world had turned gray, the sky devoid of color, the world cloaked in darkness. He saw no glimmer of hope; his doomsday had arrived.

Xia Jing saw Zhang Zhentian standing motionless at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau. She knew her husband was reluctant to leave, but since she had dragged him there herself, what right did she have to turn back? Things had escalated to this stage step by step, and both were responsible. Blaming everything on either of them would be selfish and shirking responsibility...

Xia Jing’s heart ached. Seeing her husband standing there, she wished time could freeze this moment forever. That way, they’d never step through the bureau’s doors, never reach the day of their divorce. She just wanted to quietly watch her beloved husband!

After loving each other for so long, they still couldn’t escape the fate laid out for them. They were powerless, only to divorce.

Zhang Zhentian saw Xia Jing’s reluctant expression and said to her, "How about we not divorce? Give me one more chance. Let’s go home together, happily living our lives. Isn’t it better than ending up like this?"

"Now that we’ve said it, why go back? As the saying goes, ’A fine horse doesn’t eat back its way.’ Since a decision has been made, you must see it through even if you have to crawl. After going through so much, it’s indeed hard to forget each other, but there’s truly no path left. Since this ending is inevitable, let’s let go and give each other another chance. Trust me, I won’t make you sad."

"What good will saying this do now? It’s all too late. There’s no way back for us. Since we’re here, why not step through this door lightly and give each other the outcome we want?"

"Xia Jing, you should know I don’t want to divorce you. I don’t want to step through these doors of the Civil Affairs Bureau. I don’t want to see your silhouette leaving. Each time I see you turn away, do you know how heartbroken I am seeing your back? Why don’t you understand my feelings for you? After all these years as a couple, don’t you know me at all? Everything I’ve done was for a better life together, just so we can happily spend the rest of our lives. Why can’t you understand me? Many times, if you tried to know me better, the outcome would be different, but you didn’t."

"What’s the point in saying this now? Originally, there was a way back, but you blocked it. I begged you not to divorce me, yet you insisted on abandoning me, on abandoning over a decade of love, of shared nights. If you were so cold-hearted in wanting to abandon me then, don’t now lower your head and ask me back. It’s meaningless, and makes me feel you’re unworthy of being a man. You disregard the bond we shared as husband and wife, why should I consider you a part of my life? Doesn’t that make it more painful? Enough. Let’s not say anything more. We’ve come this far, let’s go inside and take care of everything, lest we’re troubled by this again later on!"

After speaking, Xia Jing turned and walked into the Civil Affairs Bureau. Seeing her decisive departure, Zhang Zhentian felt uncomfortable. Xia Jing looked back and saw Zhang Zhentian rooted to the spot. She reached back to pull him through the door but couldn’t move him.

"Why not give me one more chance? Am I so insignificant to you? Just give me another chance, won’t you? I don’t want much, just a simple, happy family!"

"Do you think that over all these years, I never gave you the feeling of a home, or fostered the atmosphere of a happy family? Is that why you’re treating me this way? You tell me, if I go back with you now, you’ll never divorce me again. Do you think your words are credible? Since you could heartlessly divorce me this time, there will be a second and third time. I don’t want to endure such blows repeatedly. Since this time, you’ve shown clear intent. Let’s finally resolve this so neither of us is so hurt."

With that, Xia Jing walked directly to the bureau’s entrance, not intending to wait for Zhang Zhentian, who had no choice but to slowly follow inside.

They argued inside for quite some time before finally settling down. Once quiet, Xia Jing signed her name on the divorce papers. Zhang Zhentian saw her sign without hesitation and realized that what he had done this time had truly frozen her heart. Seeing Xia Jing so resolute, he knew he shouldn’t force her to keep living with him. Perhaps it was time to let Xia Jing fly solo.

After thinking through it alone, Zhang Zhentian signed his name on the divorce papers. The officials handed the divorce certificates to Zhang Zhentian and Xia Jing. Xia Jing looked at her certificate and, with a smile, said to Zhang Zhentian, "Congratulations on finally getting rid of me. Now you can live happily with dad and our son, while I can finally fly alone without any burdens or encumbrances!"

"You too can now fly solo without any worry that I’ll uncover your lies!"

"We’ve completed all the procedures. You’re free. We go back to our own homes, never to meet or contact each other again. This may be goodbye forever..."

Finishing her words, Xia Jing turned to leave. As she turned, a large tear rolled down from the corner of her eye, trailing along her cheek. She felt a cold wind on her face, though it was a sweltering day, she felt the chill of winter.

Zhang Zhentian knew Xia Jing was crying, but he said nothing, knowing it would only bring more pain. Though his heart ached, he refrained from comforting his ex-wife. From this day forward, they would no longer be husband and wife, nor worry about conflicts between them. They could each live the life they wanted, but why did he feel such sorrow?